Is Apple a de facto monopoly? Both app store & hardware? What can or should be done? Would laws / breakup be a punishment for success?

[DrPepper12]

Is the very existence of Android proof ENOUGH that it's NOT a monopoly?

Should the EU be dictating terms to Apple to make changes?

Are you aware of the @25% commissions and fees that Apple charges app developers?

That Apple refuses to open up Apple Pay for other purposes (hotel keys, rewards cards a& such)?

Apple is a GLOBAL monopoly; EU? USA? IDC! Do something!

Apple is NOT a monopoly. Don't punish their success!

Apple is a USA monopoly; back off EU, we got this!

Updates

1 y

Apple is NOT a monopoly by 2/3s vote! But most seems to agree they need some more regulation

[RavVid]

Apple has always been a controlled environment and that is a large part of it's strength. Things just work as apple fans like to say. I prefer Android price points and just accept that things don't always work.

I do think it is good that the EU forced adoption of USB C. I like that I can slot in a memory card whilst Apple fans need to buy a new phone to get more memory. I think that is the most egregious aspect of the closed Apple environment to the point of being insulting.

[DrPepper12]

💯 every word!! I'm team android too!

[RavVid]

:) I waver occasionally. But do I really want to invest so much more money in something I can easily lose or drop and break. Plus I see a phone as only something to make phone calls or text with and Galaxy S8 is still more phone than I need.

[DrPepper12]

I just traded the S8 for a S24 and the battery life is forever now. Lots of other cool stuff too

[RavVid]

You recommend the switch up?

[DrPepper12]

If you want. I hold onto phones until upgrade is free. I'm good til 2030s now!

[RavVid]

I'll probably just stay back level seeing I mostly use phones to make phone calls :)

[AviatorTom]

Apple avoids many laws, and makes their own laws, to maintain and improve their market share. That's the legal definition of a monopoly, and that is illegal.

For example, Apple requires you to take your iPhone to an Apple store for repair, avoiding your warranty if it's taken to a generic electronics repair shop, which isn't allowed to get repair parts anyway.

[Gwendoline]

Maybe in the us but apple products outside the US has a reputation for being well marketed and flashy trash. Samsung phones are much better, Spotify is much better

[DrPepper12]

I'm team android & Samsung!! ♥️ Em!!

[Gwendoline]

Same.

[Likes2drive]

It’s kind of one, I never heard of android pay

[bobby_bush_eater]

They're not a monopoly.

They do frequently violate certain anti trust laws and unfairly create barriers of entry and the purpose trivial yet expectations accessories and plainly unfair warranty and right to repair guidelines (as well as many other things including legit scandals) that many people want some kind of actions against them.

I have a an android phone, a Windows PC, an MSI laptop, and a Samsung tablet 🤷‍♂️

[DrPepper12]

Sarcasm right? You described a monopoly! I'm team android too

[bobby_bush_eater]

It's not a monopoly you just don't like them.

They maintain a portion of market share and tactics should be more regulated but that goes for a lot of other companies too.

There are competitors, several in fact. Break up apple into what? This is their brand, this is what they sell...

[DrPepper12]

Hardware n software n app store n iTunes n apple TV could be a possibility

[NathanDavis]

I am sure there's legal implications... that make the concept of "monopoly" different to the literal definition in dictionaries... lol

[LiamJHayden]

They pretty much are, especially on the hardware end. They have made it nearly impossible to upgrade at home their newer MacBooks.

[jshm2]

The EU is breaking it, as are others.

[DrPepper12]

You support?

[exitseven]

there are lots of people that use computers and cell phones and use other products.

[msc545]

Apple needs to be broken up

[DrPepper12]

Second that!

[Anonymous]

Apple is NOT a monopoly.

[DrPepper12]

Why not anon?